Postoperative Thromboembolism

Abstract

Scanning with ¹²⁵I fibrinogen is an objective, accurate, and safe method of evaluating peripheral thrombosis in the postoperative period. High-risk patient populations are identified for careful monitoring and for evaluation of prophylactic therapy. Attention is directed to the early postoperative appearance of these thrombi and the ability of the fibrinogen scan to preempt the clinical manifestations. Pulmonary scanning in the postoperative period does not appear to be a reliable diagnostic test for pulmonary emboli in the patient with chronic pulmonary disease.